FORMER Skipton man Patrick John Tyson has lost his long battle with a rare form of cancer, at the age of 49, in St John's Hospice, Doncaster.

John was born at Cawder Gyll Hospital, Skipton, to Michael and Linda, formerly Daggett in 1965. He was joined five years later by his sister Heather.

He attended Greatwood Primary School and then Aireville Secondary Modern School, played football for Skipton Bulldogs, snooker for Broughton Road Bowling Club and learnt to play guitar in his dad's band.

He married Joanne Riley from Sutton and set up home in Colne. The couple had two children, Nathan and Samantha, but after divorce in 1999, John moved to Edenthorpe ea Doncaster where, in 2005, he married Vicky.

His love of music saw him have a studio built at home where he held regular karaoke/music nights for friends. He then formed the Memphis Jack's Rock n Roll Band, playing at a professional level and quickly built up a reputation.

Right up to his death, John supported cancer charities and raised thousands of pounds for Weston Park Cancer Hospital in Sheffield where he was treated throughout his illness. He was always upbeat about his cancer and thought he would beat it. In fact he was performing on stage just three weeks before his condition deteriorated.

His funeral service will be held in Doncaster followed by cremation. Afterwards his ashes will be laid to rest in the family plot in St Stephen's Churchyard in Skipton.